Ryan makes quick stop at tailgate party near Lambeau

Nov. 4, 2012

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Written by

Maria Amante

Green Bay Press-Gazette

Republican vice presidential candidate Rep. Paul Ryan, right, watches as his daughter Liza plays bean-bag toss while campaigning before the Green Bay Packers' game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is at upper left. They appeared at Sideline Sports Bar in Ashwaubenon, just west of Lambeau Field. / H. Marc Larson/Press-Gazette

Ryan, the Janesville congressman, posed for pictures and spoke briefly with supporters while wearing a Nike Green Bay Packers jacket and green-and-gold striped-tie. He is running with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney on the Republican presidential ticket against incumbent Democratic President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

He watched his children, Liza and Sam, play bean-bag toss, also known as cornhole toss, with other children. “Sam’s the cornhole king," he said.

As the children lined up to play the game, Ryan told them they needed to wear a cheesehead stamped with the Romney/Ryan campaign logo in order to get in the game.

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson and Gov. Scott Walker also were there and greeted Ryan. The event was initially scheduled as a campaign event with Johnson, Walker and Romney’s sons Josh and Matt .

Ryan, who had three more campaign events later in the day, said he was disappointed to miss the Packers’ game against the Arizona Cardinals. He said he usually tailgates in the Lambeau Field parking lot.

The crowd spontaneously erupted into chants of “Two more days!” as Ryan made his way through.

“We loved seeing him in person,” said Sherri Berekvam of Eau Claire.

“Thanks a lot!” Ryan told the crowd as he climbed back into his motorcade at 10:31 a.m., headed for Austin Straubel International Airport. The doors to the Romney/Ryan campaign jet closed at 10:48 a.m., and the plane took off for Ohio at 11:06 a.m.

The stop was Ryan’s second in the Green Bay area in five days. He is scheduled to stop in Milwaukee on Monday.